For weeks I was working on this blogpost and I was just writing and editing my way through the article, just to get it done before Christmas. And then came the horrible events in Berlin this week, where a cowardous attack was made towards people enjoying themselves on a Christmas market. I just can't wrap my head around this. It's not so much the 'Christmas' part of the word (I am not religious myself), but more what they represent: Christmas markets bring people together in the darkest part of the year, it's a place where family, friends and colleagues gather after work to socialise where there otherwise would have stayed at home. So that's why I decided to go ahead an post this blog anyway. Because I love Christmas markets, have been going to them for years and will hopefully keep on going for years to come. Do you like Christmas markets?

Last year work took me to Hannover in Germany and lucky me: Christmas markets had just opened. So besides taking guided walks, visiting museums, sights and (cough) yarn shops I also warmed myself to some glühwein every now and then. I love that German Christmas markets release new cups every year, so you can collect them. I have a bunch of them already. In Hannover there are many smaller Christmas markets with different themes, which I love. There is the midieval market, the Finnish market (loved that one) and a market in a small forest. The Hannover Zoo is also completely morphed into a winter wonderland.

Because I grew up pretty close to the boarder to Belgium I pretty much explored all of Flanders when growing up. But I had never visited Leuven (nor Ypres or Flanders Fields, but that's a different story). I was so excited to visit Leuven during Christmas last year. It was just a quick visit, but I had time enough to visit the Christmas markets. Leuven is one of the prettiest cities in Belgium and in December the city sparkled even more.

Cologne is a favourite weekend trip destination for us Dutch, it's just a short drive across the boarder and it's such a great old city. Cologne is the place for shopping, museums and relaxing in grand hotels. Especially in summer it's just great to people watch with a drink on the banks of the Rhine. But last time I visited Cologne just before Christmas, so there were Christmas markets everywhere. Especially in the centre all the squares were basically covered by stalls. I have to say that I enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of the smaller markers, those at Neumarkt and Rudolphplatz, a little better.

Taking a bath in the open air, while it's snowing. Sounds bizarre, right? But in Budapest this is a must-do in winter. The thermal baths of Budapest have a water temperature of 37C and it's just so nice and warm. Plus, some of the baths are like gorgeous old world palaces and you'll feel like royalty. After a swim, it's time to warm up with some proper goulash or visit one of the magnificent 19th-century coffee houses for hot chocolate and a big chunk of cake. If I wouldn't have been working over the next couple of weeks (no Christmas holidays for me I'm afraid) I would definitely be looking for a plane ticket.

This one is of a more recent nature, as I was visiting Antwerp only last weekend. I have visited the city many, many time and it never disappoints. It's so beautiful and there's so much to do and see. Right now, there's Christmas markets, ice rings and so many pop-up shops and restaurants. So much to explore. I went to see China Light in the Antwerp Zoo and was very impressed by the colourful light sculptures. Also lots of fun: going to Mercado, a food market in the old post office near Groenplaats. I stayed at Hotel les Nuits, across my favourite Antwerp museum, Museum Mayer van den Bergh, and close to all the shops. The breakfast at the hotel was so, so good. Little jars of yummyness to chose from, warm buns and fresh juices. Ah, the life. Hopelijk hebben jullie nu toch weer een beetje de kerst-spirit te pakken! Hebben jullie nog leuke winter festivals of kerstmarkten bezocht? Ik kan altijd wel weer nieuwe inspiratie gebruiken (ik zit te denken... misschien volgend jaar Engeland, Scandinavië??). En ik wens jullie natuurlijk allemaal héle fijne feestdagen! Xx.

Hopefully, I have passed on the Christmas-spirit-bug to you. Have you visited any winter festivals or Christmas markets this year? Pass on any new inspiration to me, I am such a sucker for it (I am thinking about England or Scandinavia next year)! And of course, I wish you a very very Merry Christmas. Xx.

I haven't visited our Christmas market here in Philadelphia this year--but I do love it! I love the warm lights and the cozy huts. We do different mugs every year, too. I'd love to see some here that you have listed--one day! Merry Christmas!!!!!

I love Christmas Markets, specially those in central europe , like the ones you mentioned. Unfortunally i'm spending Christmas in Brasil this year, and it definitly doesn't feel like Christmas. Too hot, hardly any lights,and no Christmas markets at all!Merry Christmas to you and a happpy new year!